Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw to star in WAITING FOR GODOT in the West End

A new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot has been announced, directed by James Macdonald and starring Lucian Msamati (Gangs of London, SKY Atlantic) as Estragon and Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Spectre, No Time To Die) as Vladimir, which will play at Theatre Royal Haymarket from September 2024.

Didi and Gogo wait by a tree for a man named Godot. They don’t know who he is, why they are meeting or what time he is coming – only that something incredible could happen when he does…

“Let us do something, while we have the chance… at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it before it is too late!”

Lucian Msamati said: “The wait has been worth it! I look forward to making merry mischief with James Macdonald for the first time and a too long overdue reunion with the creative brilliance and genuine spirit that is Ben Whishaw”.

Ben Whishaw said: “When I was 18 I was doing an art foundation course in Bedford and went one night with a friend to London to see a play that was part of a season of plays by Samuel Beckett at the Barbican Theatre. The play was Waiting for Godot. The next day I dropped out of my art course, having decided I wanted to study acting instead. I am unbelievably thrilled and excited - and a little terrified too - to be having this chance to perform Beckett’s utterly radical and incredibly beautiful play. It has haunted me since that night 25 years ago. And to get to do it with Lucian Msamati and James Macdonald … well, that’s just a dream”.

Further casting and dates are to be announced.

Waiting for Godot will go on sale in February 2024. Individuals can register their interest and sign up for priority booking here.